Winning the 10,000m gold in Rio
When I was tripped by Galen [Rupp, his American training partner] on the tenth lap it was a shock — you’re thinking all the worst thoughts — but then I just remember telling myself not to panic and to slowly get my way back into the race.
In the laps that followed, I was reminding myself of how hard I had worked, all the training I had done, and I wasn’t going to let being tripped stop me from winning the gold medal in Rio.
Then as we entered the last few laps I was where I wanted to be and was able to control the race how I wanted after that.
First Olympic gold, the 10,000m on Super Saturday
I had been working on my speed to finish fast. Over the last few laps I wanted to try to control it from the front. There were a couple of times where maybe I had to accelerate a bit more than I would have liked but holding the inside line meant I kept the lead.
But at no point did I know I’d win. I ran through the line as hard as I could to leave nothing to chance. Even when I crossed the line you can see I’m still not sure. I couldn’t believe it.
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My memory is just the noise! Stepping out to the track and the place went crazy. They had just seen Jess [Ennis] win gold in the heptathlon so the atmosphere was incredible, and then during the race it was 25 laps with a constant wall of noise. Then at the end, everyone jumping up and down and celebrating together, it was incredible.
At the time I wasn’t able to appreciate what was going on with Super Saturday. I was in the call room when Jess won and was racing when Greg [Rutherford] won the long jump. So, when I won as well and Britain had won three golds in 45 minutes, it was crazy. But you knew it was something special.
The atmosphere, the joy on people’s faces, how the media were reacting. We knew we had done something that people would remember.
There really weren’t any celebrations. I did some interviews, got my medal and my focus switched to the 5,000m straight away.
Second 2012 gold, the 5,000m
The race started slowly, which suited me, and each lap that went past I gained confidence. Then as we got to the closing stages I couldn’t feel anything. The crowd were giving me such a lift that they were carrying me along. Without them I don’t know if I could have done it. I had wanted two golds, and got them.
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Winning 5,000m gold at Rio Olympics
I didn’t feel any extra pressure really, going for my fourth gold medal. There is pressure every time I step on the track, but a lot of that comes from myself.
I was aware of the history that only the great Lasse Virén, the Flying Finn, had won all four golds over two Olympics [in 1972 and 1976]. People had told me about it and I wanted to make my own piece of history in Rio.
All of my Olympic medals are incredibly special to me. They are the pinnacle of our sport. But probably the first one, the 10,000m in London, is most special. Being at a home Olympics, having the crowd cheering you on [on Super Saturday], that feeling of crossing the line first and seeing how happy everyone is for you. That was amazing.
My football medals
I have always liked football. I wanted to be a footballer when I was younger. I have two Soccer Aid medals — a gold and a silver. Soccer Aid for Unicef is about making a difference to children’s lives and I’m passionate about it. I have a foot injury but if I can recover as planned then I’d like to be on the pitch.
First medal that I still have
I still have one from 1998 when I was 15. It was the South of England Track Championships in Haringey and I won the 1,500m.
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● Soccer Aid for Unicef 2021 is on September 4 at the Etihad Stadium, on ITV and STV. For tickets, go to: www.socceraid.org.uk/tickets
